Real Estate Investing in Boston, Massachusetts (02125)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Suffolk County • Population: 33,069 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 02125 (Boston, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (40/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
3 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.4% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • Elevated poverty: 20.1% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

What’s happening in Boston, MA (02125)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $664,349
Avg Monthly Rent $3,360
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $64,983
% Renters 64.9%

Market Analysis: 02125 Boston

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Boston's 02125 ZIP stands at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $664K pricing implies.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $664K asset, 02125 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

ZIP 02125's metrics run below Suffolk County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The 02125 ZIP's population of 33,069 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that shows the need for careful underwriting.

The 02125 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Boston:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 50/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 10.2× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $3,360/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 02125

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+4.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$186,130/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $462,571 $2,160 3.4% +2.9% $462,571
2BR $611,675 $2,560 3.0% +2.1% $305,838
3BR $637,967 $3,080 3.5% +2.6% $212,656
4BR $803,345 $3,390 3.0% +2.8% $200,836
5BR $930,652 +4.2% $186,130

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$705K$608K$511K$413K$316K$218KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,459$3,172$2,884$2,596$2,309$2,021Dec 2016Oct 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02125 Compare?

Metric 02125 Boston Massachusetts
Home Value $664,349 $852,655 $645,115
5-Year CAGR 1.5% 2.0% 7.0%
Avg Rent $3,360 $3,489 -
Cap Rate 4.0% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 02125? Click to expand

65% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 02125 (Boston, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 02125 (Boston, MA)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Property managers serving Suffolk County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

CHARLESGATE Property Management provides full-service, customized property management for condominiums, multifamily properties, and investment portfolios in the Greater Boston Area. summary from their website

HOASmall multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

First Realty Management provides real estate management services for condominiums and commercial properties. summary from their website

HOACommercial
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

MerGo Group offers property management and vacation rental management services in the Boston Metro Area. summary from their website

Short-term rentals
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
4.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.5%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $664,349
Monthly Rent $3,360
Price-to-Rent 16.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.1%
Cap Rate 4.0%
5-Year IRR 5.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +6.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.0%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
10.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.5%
Flat
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 02125

Population: 33,069

💰 Median Household Income
$64,983
This area
$64,983
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
64.9%
This area
64.9%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.9%
This area
4.9%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
40.3%
This area
40.3%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.6 years
This area
33.6 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.4%
This area
10.4%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 34.9%
Black/African American 30.3%
Other/Mixed 23.8%
Hispanic/Latino 21.1%
Asian 11.0%
👶 Under 18
17.1%
This area
17.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.1%
This area
12.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
20.1%
This area
20.1%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 02125

A+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
10.7:1 Avg Class Size
$41,398 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Dever Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
406 Students
👨‍🏫
9.7:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Boston Collegiate Charter School

📚 05 – 12 High School Charter
👥
688 Students
👨‍🏫
8.4:1 Class Size
💰
$25,970 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Everett Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
278 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Winthrop Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
241 Students
👨‍🏫
9.4:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Russell Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
346 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Clap Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
130 Students
👨‍🏫
8.1:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Conservatory Lab Charter School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School Charter
👥
444 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$26,850 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Blackstone Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
📍 380 Shawmut Avenue, Boston
👥
581 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Boston International High School & Newcomers Academy

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 100 Maxwell St, Dorchester
👥
486 Students
👨‍🏫
8.7:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Burke High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
📍 60 Washington Street, Dorchester
👥
395 Students
👨‍🏫
9.5:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Community Academy of Science and Health

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 11 Charles Street, Dorchester
👥
341 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Condon K-8 School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 200 D Street, South Boston
👥
580 Students
👨‍🏫
8.3:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 2,579 Off-Campus Students
C+
Jupiter Beauty Academy
207 students · 0.7 mi
C+
University of Massachusetts-Boston
15,810 students · 1.0 mi
C
Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology
592 students · 2.2 mi
C
Roxbury Community College
1,631 students · 2.2 mi
B
The New England Conservatory of Music
784 students · 2.3 mi
B+
Northeastern University
31,159 students · 2.4 mi
C+
Northeastern University Professional Programs
7,471 students · 2.4 mi
C+
Wentworth Institute of Technology
4,018 students · 2.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,579 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smart move for investors in Boston, MA?

In Boston, MA the solid play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $664K prices and $3,360/mo rents suits that approach.

Is Boston, MA landlord-friendly?

MA ranks as a tenant-protective state for landlord-tenant law. Boston generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

Is Boston, MA a smart market for rental property?

With a 2.0/5 investability score, Boston, MA ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $664K and rents of $3,360/mo drive the underlying numbers.

Are there empty rentals in Boston, MA?

Boston, MA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader MA rental market.

Can I house hack in Boston, MA?

Boston, MA is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $664K price point reasonable to enter.

You know 02125 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02125 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

Compare Plans

How 02125 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 02125 (Boston)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 02125 (Boston, MA).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.